Chapter 53: The Choice

As he spoke, Patriarch Song gave a light wave of his hand, and the injuries of Song Jin and the Purple-robed Youth, who had fallen to the ground, vanished in an instant.

Their consciousness returned, and their bodies became completely healed.

Song Jin cupped his hands in salute, "I failed to carry out the Patriarch's orders; this subordinate begs for forgiveness."

The Purple-robed Youth's face was grim; he had not expected to be taken out in a single move, so he hurriedly bowed, "Many thanks to the Patriarch for saving me; it was this subordinate's carelessness."

Patriarch Song waved his hand and turned to look at the youth kneeling on the ground, "To kill two Foundation Establishment Level 6 cultivators in a row with only a Foundation Establishment Level 4 cultivation base—you truly possess exceptional talent. I really find myself reluctant to let you go."

A gentle smile appeared on his face, "Why must Junior Brother Bai Ming insist on leaving? Is it that my Song Family has not treated you well?"

"Top-tier cultivation techniques that lead directly to the Golden Core stage, endless cultivation resources, and even the status of a direct disciple of the Seven Sects."

"Which of these is not something others desire but cannot obtain? I even specifically sought out a wisp of Spirit Wind after hearing you chose the Wuxiang Wind-Control Tactic. My Song Family has not treated you poorly, have we?"

"Yet, why must you leave?" Patriarch Song frowned, his face filled with confusion.

Under the immense pressure, Junior Brother Bai Ming knelt on both knees, his two hands straining against the ground, barely managing to keep from collapsing flat onto the floor.

He raised his head against the overwhelming pressure, his eyes filled with disdain, "Not treated me poorly? You mean to say that erasing my memories, brainwashing my thoughts, and carefully grooming me into a puppet loyal to the Song Family counts as not treating me poorly?"

"The resources you invested in me were nothing more than an investment. If I did not possess the Yanqing Spiritual Root, I likely would have died that day."

"Patriarch Song, am I right?" Junior Brother Bai Ming stared directly at Patriarch Song before him, not yielding in the slightest.

Hearing this blunt provocation from Junior Brother Bai Ming, Song Jin and the Purple-robed Youth standing nearby were secretly shocked.

Although Patriarch Song was kind to others, no matter how kind he was, he was still a Golden Core cultivator.

Not to mention that Patriarch Song was an elite among Golden Core cultivators; ordinary Golden Core cultivators were nothing more than small fry in his eyes.

Wiping out Foundation Establishment cultivators was something he could do with a mere wave of his hand.

Was he truly prepared to give up everything and go down in flames?

Facing the youth's mockery, Patriarch Song was silent for a moment, his aura condensing into substance, a crushing pressure like a mountain landslide sweeping over everyone present.

Everyone present fell silent, not daring to make a sound, fearing they might provoke Patriarch Song's wrath.

The city wall, which had been bustling with noise just moments ago, was terrifyingly quiet at this moment.

Only the rustling sound of the cool breeze passing through the tree branches remained.

Junior Brother Bai Ming was right at the center of this pressure, facing the greatest intensity of it, yet he only stared sharply at Patriarch Song before him.

"Hahaha."

The sudden laughter broke the silence on the scene.

Yet, the oppressive atmosphere did not ease because of it; instead, it became even heavier.

"So that is what you think." A trace of a smile still lingered on Patriarch Song's face, "However, you are indeed correct."

"At first, I did indeed see the potential in you and intended to invest in you, but later, my thoughts changed." Patriarch Song shifted his tone.

"Believe it or not, after seeing how you got along with Qing'er, my thoughts gradually changed. I truly began to cultivate you as a direct descendant of the Song Family, even treating you as my own flesh and blood." Patriarch Song said with a profound tone.

Junior Brother Bai Ming remained silent, offering no rebuttal.

"If I had viewed you as a tool or a puppet from the very beginning, why would I have agreed to your marriage with Qing'er?"

Patriarch Song countered, "Would I really give my own daughter to a puppet? There are clearly many better ways to control a puppet, are there not?"

"I have seen the feelings between you and Qing'er with my own eyes, and I believe you can feel it yourself—that was not fake emotion or pretense."

Hearing that woman's name, Junior Brother Bai Ming's heart felt complicated, but this sentence from Patriarch Song was like a thorn, stirring up the emotions in his heart.

Junior Brother Bai Ming sneered, "Heh."

"To talk about genuine feelings with someone whose memories have been erased—don't you find that a bit ridiculous, Patriarch Song?"

Patriarch Song frowned slightly, sighing in his heart.

Junior Brother Bai Ming roared, "If there were true feelings, then she should not have tortured me from the beginning, and she certainly should not have thought about controlling me later! How can such fake feelings be called sincere!"

Patriarch Song sighed lightly, "I know that Qing'er did indeed do some wrong things to you, and I even bear some responsibility."

"But I believe these things are not irreparable or irreconcilable. Although you may not admit it, from a father's perspective, these past two months, you two have been a pair of lovebirds that the world would envy."

Patriarch Song advised, "Junior Brother Bai Ming, why not calm down and think about it carefully? Your feelings for Qing'er at that time were real."

"As long as you can see clearly, you are still my Song Family's son-in-law, and in the future, I will cultivate you just as I would my own son."

"Stay; this is also what Qing'er desires in her heart." Patriarch Song urged earnestly, "You two can truly start over from this point."

Stay?

As long as he stayed.

He would have the status of a direct disciple of the Seven Sects, standing at the pinnacle of immortal cultivation, something ordinary people could never hope for.

The full support and cultivation of a Golden Core City Lord.

And even a Daoist partner who was breathtakingly beautiful and gifted with extraordinary talent.

Whichever one was singled out, I fear no one would be able to refuse.

Even after hearing Patriarch Song's sincere persuasion, Junior Brother Bai Ming's heart truly wavered.

As long as he said yes.

Boundless wealth, lofty status, a stunning beauty, and a smooth path to immortality.

All of these were within his grasp.

He didn't even need to speak; just a nod would suffice.

Seeing Junior Brother Bai Ming hesitate, Patriarch Song felt a surge of joy and continued to persuade, "Junior Brother Bai Ming, don't leave; stay. Qing'er is still waiting for you."

Just as Junior Brother Bai Ming was about to open his mouth to answer, a blurred image flashed through his mind.

It was a youth covered in wounds, constantly kowtowing to the floor, just to alleviate the pain in his brain.

He begged for mercy in a pitiful voice, setting aside all dignity, the whole person looking like a drowning dog.

Yet the woman before him had a playful look in her eyes; no matter how many times he begged for mercy, all he received in return was even more painful punishment.

If he accepted it here.

How could he face the youth in the basement who was weeping bitterly, tortured by pain to the point of wanting to die?

Junior Brother Bai Ming raised his head slightly, his tone calm, "I refuse."

The Song Family cultivators in the distance intentionally avoided them and could not hear their voices, only casting curious glances.

But Song Jin and the other, who were nearby, heard everything clearly.

Their faces were filled with confusion, not understanding why the youth would refuse.

Facing such an offer, I fear there was no second person in Canglan City at this moment who would refuse.

Yet he refused.

He gave an answer contrary to the hundreds of thousands of people in Canglan City.

Hearing the answer, Patriarch Song sighed regretfully, "Is that so."

He turned around, murmuring to himself, "If I had discovered you sooner, and if Qing'er hadn't done those things, would the outcome have been any different?"

Patriarch Song paused for a breath, "Forget it."

He waved his hand and turned around, "Since that is the case, you are no longer a member of my Song Family, and I cannot tolerate you leaving with two of my Song Family's cultivation techniques."

The overwhelming pressure on his body vanished, and Junior Brother Bai Ming slowly stood up, his whole body tense, watching Patriarch Song before him cautiously.